Anyone on DA ever run into those weird situations when you want to make a sarcastic comment, but done know if it will come across? On DeviantArt a lot of conversations take place. It is easy for these conversations to be misinterpreted and mishandled, especially when it comes to the use of sarcasm or irony.

So, first let’s take a look at what sarcasm actually is:
Sarcasm
1: a keen or bitter taunt: a cutting gibe or rebuke often delivered in a tone of contempt or disgust [speech full of reproachful sarcasms]
2: the use of caustic or stinging remarks or language often with inverted or ironical statement on occasion of an offence or shortcoming with intent to wound the feelings

Irony
1 a : feigned ignorance designed to confound or provoke an antagonist : DISSIMULATION -- compare SOCRATIC IRONY b : DRAMATIC IRONY
2 a : humour, ridicule, or light sarcasm that adopts a mode of speech the intended implication of which is the opposite of the literal sense of the words (as when expressions of praise are used where blame is meant) b : this mode of expression as a literary style or form [a gift for irony] c : an ironic utterance or expression
3 : a state of affairs or events that is the reverse of what was or was to be expected : a result opposite to and as if in mockery of the appropriate result [the irony of fate].

So, it’s safe to say that sarcasm is seen as a more rude, crude humour, and irony more light-hearted and fun. Yet a lot of people still use sarcasm on DA.

The problem is, how can we tell when someone is being sarcastic?
Some people just expect you to know. But there are some symbols that can be used to indicate sarcasm:
</sarcasm> - this method is popular on DA and it placed at the end of a sarcastic comment. It means ‘end sarcasm’.
or - these emotions are also used after sarcastic comments have been made, but they are also used in other situations.
– the wink is sometimes used, but it tends to convey more of a friendly kidding than, say, a wickedly sarcastic remark.
! – Some writers in the UK and some other countries have adopted the use of the exclamation mark to signal sarcasm or irony.
^ - this is a rapidly growing punctuation mark in the US that is derived from the raised eyebrow emotion.

So what’s the best method to use?
Well, it’s what ever you feel like, and what ever you are used to.
But just remember: (adapted from [link])

In general, DeviantArt is like a big party.
Some parties are loud and others are quite. Sometimes serious conversation takes place, other times everyone just wants to fool around.

But when you go to a party, you usually take a moment to have a good look around and see what everyone is like – what is everyone talking about – which ones are more like you – which ones are very different to you, etc. sometimes you leave conversations straight away, other times you just observe, and sometimes you stay for a while.

But you always make sure that you are understood, and this is where the written text is unfavourable. It can be hard to convey your true meaning in text, without tone of voice or body language. So it is important to know that not everyone uses the same methods as you to convey meaning, and sometimes you will be misinterpreted. So just make sure that you make yourself completely clear when in conversation on DA.

DA is extremely multicultural, and not everyone shares the same ideals, language and communication techniques.
Misinterpretations are where most of the argument on DA begins.
So be careful and be clear.

I put this in news because i think it is important that everyone know the different ways that sarcasm and irony are communicated over the internet and that everyone has different ways of communicating and making themselves clear. Hopefully this will help to stop some of the misconceptions that take place on DA.